Neem Oil for Eczema
Using Neem Oil for Eczema
Ayurvedic practitioners use Neem oil for Eczema and many other skin issues. Learn how it works to treat the symptoms of eczema, including redness, itchiness, and irritation
Here at Lovely Greens, I hand-make all my bath and beauty products on the Isle of Man from natural ingredients. Amongst them is the very popular Neem Treatment Balm, which contains neem oil. It’s creamy, easy to apply, and 100% natural, and customers use it to help soothe irritated skin. Whether you know a lot about neem oil or nothing at all, I wanted to share a bit more about it and why many of my customers use my product for eczema.
What is Neem oil?
Neem oil is a thick green oil pressed from the nuts and seeds of the neem tree, native to the Indian subcontinent. Neem is widely used in Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic medical systems, where it is considered sacred and a symbol of good health. In India, neem oil is commonly used as a panacea for various skin irritations and conditions.
It’s not just neem oil that is useful. People have used various parts of the neem tree in medicine throughout history for a range of purposes. The earliest Sanskrit medical writings note the medicinal benefits of neem’s seeds, oil, bark, roots, and fruits. Neem, in all its forms, has been used for many purposes, from making beauty products to treating a range of skin ailments. People have used its twigs to clean their teeth and have ingested it as tea to support general well-being.
Used to treat skin disorders
In India, the neem tree has earned the nickname ‘village pharmacy’ and remains a trusted remedy for many health conditions. Renowned for its wonderful healing powers, the neem tree has more recently been introduced to tropical climates around the globe. You can find it in around 30 countries worldwide, including South America, Africa, and Asia.
Neem oil continues to be used by many around the world, and is widely recognised as an effective antiseptic that can be used to treat a variety of skin disorders. More specifically, neem oil has become widely acknowledged as an effective treatment for eczema. Although I wouldn’t recommend using neem oil alone because it’s very strong, a neem oil-containing product can help combat and relieve eczema symptoms.
Why is Neem oil good for Eczema?
Neem oil is well known for helping skin conditions, so it’s no wonder it’s been used in natural skin care for thousands of years. Rich in nutrients and lipids, it can be remarkably effective in treating dry, irritated skin.
Eczema is a common inflammatory skin disorder that causes irritated, dry, and itchy skin. Many people find the itchiness uncomfortable or, in some cases, even unbearable. Eczema often runs in families because it is genetic. Although eczema is often unavoidable, sufferers can treat dryness, which can make the condition much worse.
Neem oil helps Soothe Skin
This is where neem oil comes in. It’s rich in essential fatty oils and vitamin E. Neem oil is a natural emollient, which is what makes it so great at keeping your skin moisturised. It penetrates deep into the skin to help treat small cracks caused by severe dryness.
Dermatologists can also recommend neem oil for eczema because of its natural fatty acids and vitamin E. These help restore the skin’s protective barrier, lock moisture in, and soothe cracked, dry, and sore skin. This means it works really well as an eczema treatment, helping to hydrate and protect severely dry skin.
The great thing about neem oil, however, is that it does much more than condition skin. It’s also packed with properties that can soothe, protect, and calm the skin.
Neem Oil is Anti-inflammatory
Neem oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to compounds that include nimbidin and nimbin. It can help relieve the often uncomfortable and painful side effects of eczema and reduce swelling. Neem leaf oil also contains the compound quercetin, which supports the body’s response to inflammation by restricting the production and release of histamine and other irritants.
So, on top of deeply moisturising your skin, Neem oil’s natural anti-inflammatory properties work on fighting the irritation and inflammation that are common symptoms of eczema. This can also lessen the itchiness, which may stop you from scratching, which only makes eczema worse.
It’s a Natural Pain Killer
Another amazing thing about Neem oil is that it is analgesic, meaning it’s a natural pain killer. Neem oil reduces, and often eliminates, pain caused by itching, inflammation, and dry, cracked skin. In fact, a recent scientific review concludes that neem oil could be developed into a single treatment for skin conditions.
Neem Oil is Antibacterial
Finally, Neem oil also has antibacterial qualities due to its strong antiseptic properties. This can help clear up and prevent secondary infections caused by cracked, exposed skin. Many eczema sufferers are more prone to infections because eczema breaks down the skin’s natural barrier. Neem oil helps to restore the skin, acting as a barrier against further infection.
Neem oil for Eczema
By now you’ll see that neem oil has many wonderful properties that help relieve irritated skin. It conditions severely dry skin, is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and a natural painkiller- basically everything you need for a natural eczema treatment.
Neem oil is pretty strong, so we don’t recommend using it directly on the skin. That’s why I combine it with shea butter, cocoa butter, and beeswax to make Neem Treatment Balm. I also use sweet almond oil, castor seed oil, and vitamin E oil, all of which are skin-loving oils that protect sore skin.
Neem Balm Reviews
I want to be clear that this isn’t considered a medicinal product, but many customers use it to treat their eczema. Whilst eczema can’t be cured, many of my customers find that Neem Treatment Balm helps soothe irritated skin. You can read customer reviews here to find out more.
If you want to test out Neem Treatment Balm, I also sell a small tin. That way, it’s not a huge commitment, and you can make sure it’s right for your skin.
